Cheer and Stunt

The University of Dubuque Cheer and Stunt team is at the forefront of Spartan athletics, providing the game day spirit not only at athletic events, but at events throughout the campus community. The Cheer and Stunt team is under the care of the University of Dubuque Athletics Department. The student-athletes who make up the squad attend camps in the summer, travel to post-season games as well as men's and women's basketball tournaments, and compete in national competitions.

The University of Dubuque team is comprised of a co-ed core of performers who lead the crowd at football, men's basketball, women's basketball, and other events. Members of the cheerleading squad follow the NCAA-mandated AACCA guidelines while at games, events, and practice.

The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) held its inaugural Competitive Cheer and Dance Invitational Sunday, February 11, 2018 at Buena Vista University. The University of Dubuque claimed the Cheer Routine-Stunt title for the Spartans. In the Cheer Routine-Stunt category, UD scored 54.83 points in winning the title, while Simpson was second with a score of 53.5.

Drew Ritchie re-started the cheer and stunt program at UD in 2011. He coached at UD from 2011-2016 before taking a position with the University of South Dakota Cheerleading. Ritchie returned to UD in January of 2018. He has over 15 years of cheerleading coaching experience at the college, high school and all-star levels. He also has five years of experience working with NCA as a camp instructor and as a head instructor.

He resides in Dubuque, Iowa and holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Shelby joined the Spartans for her undergraduate degree in 2013 playing for the women's soccer team. She then later decided to join the UD Cheer and Stunt team in the off season of soccer and simultaneously competed on both teams all four years here at UD. She was a part of the Spartan’s success in soccer competing in three IIAC conference tournaments and taking a trip to the national tournament her sophomore year. She was also a part of the competition squad competing in national competitions in Myrtle Beach, SC, and the first time ever squad that went to the Daytona Beach nationals in Florida. Since graduation in May 2017, Nicholson obtained her a bachelor of arts degree in communication with a minor in elementary education while also getting endorsements in reading, and a K-12 coaching certificate. She currently resides in Dubuque and is working to obtain her masters in either communication or business administration as the assistant cheer and stunt coach.

Future UD Cheerleaders,

Late summer tryouts for the 2018-2019 University of Dubuque Cheer and Stunt Team will be held in a video format for all incoming team members. Incoming members will need to submit their videos before Sunday, June 24, 2018 at 11:59 PM. This packet will give you the most complete information regarding the team guidelines, tryout process, and tryout information. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Head Coach Drew Ritchie at DRitchie@dbq.edu.